The Angle Center for Entrepreneurship recently hosted an inspiring Speaker Series event featuring Paakow Essandoh, founder of MIZIZI, a streetwear brand rooted in African culture and heritage. Paakow shared his unconventional path from studying pharmacy in college to taking a leap of faith to build his own company—a journey marked by perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering belief in his vision.
Paakow emphasized that the road to success is paved with obstacles, recounting how he faced numerous rejections before achieving breakthrough moments. One of his most notable setbacks turned into a triumph when Marvel initially rejected his pitch for a collaboration. However, he persisted and eventually connected with someone within the company who believed in MIZIZI’s mission. This led to the launch of the Black Panther x MIZIZI collection, a pivotal moment that propelled his brand forward.
Beyond his entrepreneurial journey, Paakow also shared valuable insights into the habits and mindsets that fuel his success. He stressed the importance of physical and mental well-being, highlighting his commitment to working out as a key factor in maintaining balance. He recommended books like Never Eat Alone for mastering the art of networking and shared one of his guiding mantras:
"The acquisition of knowledge is the catalyst for progression."
The event wrapped up with an engaging Q&A session, where students asked thought-provoking questions about entrepreneurship, branding, and perseverance. As a special surprise, Paakow and Hector Johnson gave away four custom MIZIZI jerseys in Endicott’s colors to students who correctly answered trivia questions about MIZIZI and Paakow’s journey.
Paakow’s story served as a powerful reminder that success comes to those who stay committed to their vision, embrace setbacks as learning opportunities, and continuously seek knowledge and growth.
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